Alicante saw another step forward in job creation as unemployment decreased for the month. In May, 3,243 people entered the workforce, bringing the total number of unemployed to a lower level than in the prior month. The positive trend reflects broad engagement across multiple sectors, with services positioning themselves as the main driver of hiring activity. The ongoing recovery in tourism appears to be a key factor as the province continues its reactivation after downturns tied to earlier disruptions.
Official figures released by the Ministry of Labor show that May closed with 143,422 people without work in the province. This figure remains below the pre-pandemic level recorded in May 2019, when 147,269 people were unemployed in the same month. Within the month, the services sector recorded the largest decrease, shedding 2,074 jobless individuals to leave 96,488 unemployed in that category. Agriculture also contributed to the improvement, posting a reduction of 390 unemployed people for a total of 5,405. The industry sector followed with a decline of 375, bringing its tally to 18,706. Construction saw a decrease of 324, lowering its count to 12,479, while the group of people who were not employed before experienced a fall of 80, with 10,344 unemployed in that category.
Beyond the headline numbers, the May dataset highlights ongoing shifts in the contract landscape. Reports indicate a persistent rise in flexible arrangements, with 29,728 such contracts formalized during the month. By comparison, 23,101 temporary contracts were registered. This contrast suggests a notable reversal of the prior dynamics observed before the recent labor reform was enacted, signaling a realignment of hiring practices as employers and workers adapt to new rules. The data underscore a gradual consolidation of employment stability as the economy continues its reactivation and firms adjust to changing labor-market conditions.